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What's hidden among the tallest trees on Earth? - Wendell Oshiro

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When Stephen Sillett was a boy, he took to the forests of Pennsylvania
with his brother and grandmother. Looking up into the dense branches and
leaves, his curiosity was piqued: What was hidden up there? Wendell
Oshiro tells the story of an adult Sillett’s bold (if not a little
dangerous) exploration of the canopy of an ancient redwood and details
some of the fascinating discoveries he made.

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Coast Redwood Conservation and Natural History:
The Save the Redwoods League was formed in 1918, “…to protect,
restore and conserve our remaining
redwood forests.” Less than 5 percent of the original old-growth coast redwood
forests remain today, the remnants of the effects of the logging industry
starting in the mid-1800’s. The
organization provides excellent information of the continuing conservation and
education efforts pertinent to the survival of the coast redwoods and its
natural history. Their website is an
excellent resource for educators who can request free materials on three
related tree species: coast redwoods, giant sequoia, and dawn redwoods. Check out their website: http://www.savetheredwoods.org/

Ancient coast redwood crown biology:
Watch this short video from the National Park Service that
provides an overview of
the biological diversity found in the coast redwood canopy.
For more detailed information on the natural history and
biology of coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens), read this article.Lichens:
Lichens remains a major focus of Stephen Sillett’s research
activities. Read about the general
information on lichens that Sillett’s grandmother
introduced to him as a boy.Close cousin of the coast redwood, the giant sequoia:
Coast redwoods are closely related to the giant sequoias
(Sequoiadendron giganteum) that populate stretches along the Sierra
Nevadas. Although not as tall as the
coast redwoods, giant
sequoias have the greatest volume of any tree on Earth. The General Sherman Tree
is regarded as the largest tree, by volume, in the world.Richard Preston:
Richard Preston’s bestseller, “The Wild Trees”,
chronicled the climbing adventures of Stephen Sillett, from his first climb of
a coast redwood in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park to the subsequent
discovery of the tallest
known redwood, and ultimately, the tallest tree on Earth.

About TED-Ed Originals

TED-Ed Original lessons feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed original? Nominate yourself here »